Ignition and lighting switch



1,563,411 A. H. WEISS,

IGNITION AND LIGHTING swITcH Dec. 1, 1925.

2 sheets-sheet I Filed May 24. 1920 g-mnunumnun Dec l' l A. H. WEISS y IGNITION AND LIGHTING SWITCH Filed May 24. 1920 2 Sheets-Snert.l 2

7i/m @n iii/@55m Patented Dec. 1,A 192,5.

UNITED STATES PATENT i, OFFICE. 1

ALFRED H. `WEISS, F WILMETTE, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOB TO KELLOGG SWITCHBOARD AND SUPPLY COMPANY, 0F CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION 0F ILLINOIS.

IGNITION AND LIGTING SWITCH.

Application ined my 24, 1920. seriai No. 383,675.

To all lwlw/m it may concern.'

Be it known that I, ALFRED H. WEISS, a citizen of the United States of America, residing in Wilmette, county of Cook, and

State ,of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Ignition and Lighting Switches, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to electrical switches 1G in general and has to do more particularly with sti-called combination lighting and-ignition switches, such "as are used for controlling the li hting and ignition' circuits of an automobile or the like. Au object of my invention is to produce a device of the above character vwhich contains novel features of construction and combination' ot parts, all of which produce a simple, etlicient and economical Switch structure.

Another feature consists of a. combination contacting spring member and terminal in association with a terminal blade, which blade is permanently secured to the mountl ing plate. The contacting spring member is removably supported by the mounting plate in contact with the terminal blade and held in place against displacement by means of a terminal screw and saddle member. The arrangement of the blade terminal and contacting spring member in association with each other facilitates the assembly of the spring contact members, and also permits therenioval of the spring contact member incase of repair.l

arrangement of the button and spring combination which controls the circuit of a cowl lamp. It is understood that this device may be. used to control any desired circuit.

The above features, as well as others, consist of novel details of construction and combination of parts hereinafter more particulai-ly pointed out in the ensuing specification and appended claims.

' For a more complete understanding of my invention, reference may be had to the accompanying drawin s in which like reference characters, in t ie several views, denote like parts, and in which:

Fig. 1 is a face view of the switch ot my invention; y n l Fig. 2s a right side View of Fig. 1;

Eig. 3 is a rear view of Fig. 1;

Fig. lis an; interior face View ot the switch A further feature of my invention is thel i mechanism, the cap of the switch being re.-

moved;

Fig. 5 is a ri ht side view of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a leIt side View of Fig. 4

Fig. 7 is a bottom view of Fig. 4;

Fig. 8 is an interior face view with parts of the apparatus omitted to more clearly show thelocking arrangement, the o erating levers being at norma-l and unlocked Y Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. 8, but showing the locking mechanism in operated position;

Fig. 10 is a sectional view along the line 10-10 ot Fig. 1

Fig. 11 Vis an interior face View of the switch mechanismV showing the cowl ylight control button in its normal or inoperative position; i i

Fig. 12'is a sectional view along the line 12-12 of Fig.v Lt, illustrating the construction of the rotor element;

Fig. 13 is a sectional view along `the line 13%13 of Fig. t, illustrating the construction of the rotor element;

Fig. 14 is a fragmentary sectional view illustrating the method vemployed `for securf iig the terminal blades to the mounting p ate. i

Fig. 15, is a fragmentary sectional view illustrating the method of support-ing the contact springs in the mountin plate; and

`Fig-16 is a sectional view a ong the line 16-16 of Fig. 5.

Referring now in general to my invention as illustrated, it comprises a lightin switch unit L and an ignition switch unit I. The lighting switch unit L has a normal or off position A and three operative positions B,

VC and D. Inv-position B the side Alights orf` the automobile lighting system are connected in circuit, in position C the auxiliary lights are connected in circuit, and in osition D the head lights are connected in circuit; but

' is in its position F, the lock T can only be turned part way by the key. Now, if the voperator attempts-to operate the lock T, he is at once aware that the ignition switch unit M is in its operative or on position o r the lighting switch unit M is in i-ts D position. 'The cowl light control button CIS and yits associated spring combination is provided for controlling the circuit of the cowl light. l

Referring now more in detail tomy-invention as illustrated, it comprises, prefer- Y ably, a mounting plate 2 made of any suitable insulating material, such as bakelitc, and having studs 3 and 4 fastened to it in any suitable manner, as by means of the nuts 5, which nuts 5 have screw-threaded engagement with the threaded portions of the studs 3 and 4, whichextend beyond the rear face of the plate 2. The plate 2 is rovidedwith a peripheral ridge 22, exten' ing upwardly from the plate roper. The plate` is also provided with a ange upon which the cover-cap of the device rests. The stud 3 is provided for the ignition switch unit- M and the stud 4 is provided for the light.- ing switch unit L. Springs 6, 7 and 8 are associated with the ignition `switch unit M, the springs 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13 are associated withthe lighting switch unit L. Springs 6, 7, 8, 9, etc., are similarly constructed so that, by describing one of them, the construction of the others is readily apparent.

A terminal blade 14 of suitable ,conducting material is provided with an intermediate reduced portion 15 and an end reduced portion 16, the said reduced portions 15 and 16 of blade 14 forming shouldeis 17 and 18. The peripheral ridge 22 of the mounting plate 2 is provided with openings 19, a portion 19 of the said opening 19 being of a size to receive the intermediate reduced portion 15, and when the said blade 14 is in place, the shoulder 17 engages the face of the ridge 22. The portion 15 of the blade 14 protrudes slightly beyond the bottom face of the plate 2, and this portion which forms the shoulder 18 is upset to hold the blade 14 against lateral movement, as clearly illustrated'in Fig. 14.y The contact spring 6 is formed Iout `of spring metal and is provided with a tongue portion 20. The opening 19 yis also provided with further reduced portions 192 of a size to receivethe tongue 20,0f the contact blade 6 and per- Imea-111 mits the' insertion of the contact spring G parallel to and in facial contact with. the termina-l blade 14. A shoulder 21 formed by the spring contact blade 6 and the tongue 2() rests against the face of theperipheral ridge 22 of the mounting plate 2 when the said tongue 20- is in-placein the portion 192 of the orifice 19. The, free end 22 of the spring 6 is provided with 'a rounded or curved end portion which forms acontactng end which engages its associated rotor elcment. The portion 16 of the blade 14 which extends beyond the bottom face of the plate 2 forms a connecting terminal for the spring 6. lThe tongue 20 of the spring 6 also extends beyond the face of the plate 2.

and parallel with the portion 16 of the blade 14, and asaddle or clamping member 23 forms means for securingv an electrical con-- ductor to theterminal formed by the portion 16'of the terminal blades 14. Screws 24 are provided Iwith washers 25, which screws ass through suitable openings26 and 27 in tix) tively, and have screw-threaded engagement, with suitable tapped openings in the clamping members 23.v The screw' 24 passing through the opening 27 of the tongue 2O ot' the spring 6 holds the said spring 6 in position in the portion 192 of the slot 19 against displacement. The clamping member 23 in association` with the screw 24 secures an electrical conductor between the portion 16 of the blade 14 and the said clamping member 23 and also holds the pore portion 16 and tongue 20, respec-v tion 16 of blad(l 14 and tongue 20 'of spring 6 in facial contact. lVith the above spring l ofthe tongue 20 of spring 6, whic i permits the withdrawal of the said spring from the portion 192 `of the slot 19 and another put 1n its place and secured against movement by means of the screw 24, as already described. y i

Associated with thev combination ignition switch as illustrated, AI show an overload relay OR, which is used for purposes well understood.' Therelay OR is secured to the' supporting plate 30 in any suitable manner, and said plate'30 is in turn secured to the studs 3 and 4 by means of the nuts 31, which nuts 31 have screw-threaded engagement drawing the screw 24 from the opening 27 with the threaded portions of the studs 3 n and 4.

They lighting switch unit L and the ignition switchnnit M are each provided with a rotor element, and as both are similar in 'l a supporting stud 32,-a holding disc 33 for holding the lighting switch unit L in its different positions, as will be more fully hereinafter described, a Washer 34, a retaining member 35, a sleeve 36 of suitable insulation material, insulation washers 37, 38 and 39, cams 40 and 41 of suitable insulation ma'- terial, acam 42 of suitable conducting material, and a Washer 43, which members are all supported upon the stud 32. The disc 33 is provided with an orifice of a size to permit its being slipped over ythe body portion 44 of the stud 32 and when in place rests againstv the flanged p0rtion45 vof the stud 32. The insulation sleeve 36 Vis provided with an oriiiceref a size to permit its being slipped over the body portion 44 of the stud 32, the said sleeve when in place rests against the member 33. The washer 34 is provided with an orifice of a size to permit its being slipped over the insulation sleeve 36, and the retaining member 35 is also provided with an orifice of a size to permit itbeing slipped over the insulation' sleeve 36. Washers 37 and 38, cams 40 and 41l and cam 42 are also provided with orifices to permit them being slipped over the sleeve 36.

lWasher 37 is placed between 'the retaining member 35 and insulation cam 46, and the metal cam 42 when in place rests between the said isulation cams 4() and 4l with the insulation washer 38 resting between -the said metal cam 42 and the cam 40. The washer 43 and insulation washer 39 are provided with orifices of a 'size to permit them being slipped over the body portion 44 of the stud 32, the said body portion 44 extendin slightly beyond the face of the washer 43- or purposes las will presently be described. To hold the members 35, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42 and 43 in fixed relation with cach other and the stud 32, I providethe retaining member with a lug 46 which is bent i at right angles to the plane of the' member proper, the said lug 46 extending through openings 47 in the washer 37 and cam 40, its end resting against the insulation washer 38 to insulateI the member 35 from the cam 42.

'A lugr 48 integrally formed with the retaining member 35 and diametrically opposite the lug 46 is bent at right' angles to the plate of the retaining member proper,

the said angular portion 49 resting in a. notch 50 cut inthe periphery of .the holding member The end 51 of the lug 48 is bent parallel to the plate of the member proper and rests in a notch 52 cut in the flanged portion 45 of the stud 32.

The metal cam member 42 is provided with pins 53 and 54 diametrically opposite and suitably secured thereto, which are adapted to cooperate with the insulation cams 40 and 41 'so as to hold the cams 46, 41

and 42 'is fixed relation with each other,l

The pins 53 and 54 protrude beyond both faces of the cam member 42, and its ends 53 and. 54 extend into suitable orifices 55 and56 in the cam member 41, the said ends Washer 39 to insulate the said pins from the Washer 43; The other protruding ends 532 and 542 of insv53 and'54 extend through suitable ori ces 57 and 58 in the cam meniber 40, the ends of the said pins 53 and 54 abutting against the insulation Washer 37 to insulate them from the retaining member 35. Then the members '33, 34, 35, etc., are in'place upon the stud 32, the body portionv 44 ofthe stud 32 protrudes beyond the face of Washer 43 `and this extended portion is upset or spun over, securing the said members upon the said stud 32 against di'splacef ment, and the lugs 46 and 48 of the retain-` ing member `35 in associationl with the pins 53 and 54 of the cam member 42 reventsl the said members 33, 34, 35, etc., rom ro-f tating on 'the stud 32 and holds them in fixed, relation with each other. 1

r1`he cowl light control unit CL comprises a leaf' spring 59 .provided with a tongue iortion 6() which is of a sizey to permit it eing slipped into the portion 192 of the slot\19 andheld in place against displacement in the said slot v192 by means of screw 24, as previously described. A shaft 62 rotatably supported bythe mounting plate 2' in a suitable lbearing 63 'supports a rectangu- ,lar 'shaped cam member 64, which cam member 64 is held in place upon the shaft 62 against rotation by means of a. rectangular shaped portion 65of the shaft 62v resting in an orifice 65 lshaped to conform with the contour of the portion65 of the. shaft 62. The cam member 64 is. provided with a reduced cylindrical portion 67 whose end, when the said cam meinberV 64 is in place upon the shaft 62 rests against the face of 4the mounting plate '2. The shaft 62 has a shoulder portion 68 which rests against the top face ofthe cam member64 and when the shaft 62 is in place-in its bearing 63 the shoulder 68. upon shaft 62 and .the end of the cylindrical portion 67 of the cam meinber 64 resting againstv the face ot' the plate 2 prevents lateral movement of the cam member 64 upon the said 'shaft 62. To hold the cam member 64 in either its normal or operative positions against movement, I

provide a leaf spring 69 provided with a yof thepin's abutting, against the'insulation.

iso

thecam member 64 in its inoperative posi-v tion, as illustrated in Fig. 11. The greatest width of the cam member 64 is at right4 angles to the face of the spring. 69, andthis forces the angular extension 73 into engagementvwith the free end 74 of `the spring 59 to force it out of engagement with the s ring 9 and holds the said spring 59 in tliis position untilsuch time ,when the op erator wishes to place the cowl unit` CL in its operative position. The cam member 64 ma be rotated either to the right or left. pon the rotation of the shaft 62 and cam member 64, a cam apex 75 of the member 64 engages the face of the spring 69. and when the said apex 75 passes be,-

yond its highest point in its rotation, the tension of the spring 69 is such that it causes vfurther rotationof the shaft 62 and `cam,64, producing a snap action. The cam i l I 74 of the spring 59 to engage the free end its inoperative position, the Ishaft 62 and,

lof the Spring 9 to close the cowl light circuit. Now to restore the cowl unitCL to cam 64 are rotated as a Whole to the ri/glt orleft, causing a cam apex 75 to again en -gage the face of the spring 69,'and when 1t passes beyond lts hlghest point in its rotation, the tension of the spring 69 forces further rotation of the shaft 62 and cam" "ment with the free end of spring 9.

` Theholdinginember 33 .is in the forni of a notched or toothed dise, and to cooperate with the discs S31-and 33 to yieldr in ly hold thev lighting and ignition switch umts L and M,'res`pectively, in any oft-heir operated positions, I provide a holding device H which comprises a centrally pivoted member` 80, which carriesqrotatable rollers -81 andy 82 in its bifurcated ends, Said rollers 81.,and- 82 `operating in connection with their corresponding discs 33 and of the ignition switchlnit and the lighting switch 'unity L. The inemher 80 '1s pivotally supported at its center by a stud 83, whichis suitably fastened to the mounting `plate'2 by means of la nut 84, which nut 84 has Screw-threaded engagement withthe threaded `portion of the stud 83. A spring 85 for. yieldingly holding member H against the discs 33 and 33 of the switch units L and M, is provided, and a clamping bracketv 86 secured to the mounting plate 2 by means of a screw 87 1s provided with an angular extension 88 whichv rests in a notch 89 cut in the end 90 of the spring 85 -to secure the spring 85 to the mounting plate 2 against dis lacement. The angular extension-88 o the bracket 86 rests in a notch 91 inthe peripheral ridge 22 to prevent the said bracket from turning. When one of the switch members is operated, the teeth of its disc are rotated against its associated roller, due

'to the'jactionf-of the spring 85, and as' the disc advances the roller acts upon the next notch so as to give a snap action to the switch member and at the same time hold land M may be locked in their different positions. I provide a pin-tumbler cylinder lock T cooperating with a sliding locking the actuating members of the switch in plate LP. The cylinder lock comprises` the usual lock case 95, which lock case is provided with the usual tumbler extension 96,l and rotatably mounted in the casing isf/the key barrel or cylinder 97. The key barrel 97 extends rearwardly from the cas ing 95, and this rearwardly extending portion 98 rests in a pocket or depression 99 in the mounting late 2. The lock casing 95 is also provi ed) with a air of lugs 100 and 101, preferably integral y formed therewith, the said lugs 100 and 101 restino in a notch 102 cut in the ring vportion 22 ot'P the mounting plate 2, which rlng portion 22 is formed bythe inner circumferential edge of the cupshaped portion of theplate 2 and the outer circumferential edge of the plate 2. The lock barrel 97 resting in the pocket 99, which forms a seat for the said barrel 97, incon- Junction with lugs 100 and 101, which rest in the notch '102, centers-said lock and prevents rotation of the same in the pocket 9.0

when the key 103 of the lock is'tnrned. 'lhe sliding locking plate LP, which is provided for locking the switching units L and M so that they cannot be operated, consists ot' a plate 104 provided/with elongated slots 105 and 106, through-which the studs P. and 4 extend. The plate 104 is also provided with va U-shaped notch 107 of a size to permit it to span the lock barrel -97 which rests in the pocket 99 in the mounting plate 2. The slots 105 and 106 and the U-shaped notch 1'07 in association with the studs' 3 'and 4 and .the key barrel 97, form guiding means for the plate 104 jwhen the said plate is moved to lock or unlock the switch units L and M, as the case may be. --To permit movement ofv the plate 104 when the key 103 is rotated to lock or unlock the switch units L and M, I

i barrel 97, the said pin 108 cooperating.r with apin 109, which is `secured to the sliding plate 104 in any desired manner. The plate 104 is also provided with angular extensions 110 and 110', which extensions are preferably integrally formed with the said plate 104, the said extensions 110 and 110 coopering with the discs 33 ing units M and L.

I have preferably arranged the ignition vand 33 of the switchswitcli unit M so that it can only be locked in its normal or inoperative position, and I, therefore, provide a single slot 332 in the disc 33g'wli1etli'e disc 33' of the lighting switch unit L is rovided with three slots 333, 334, and 335, w ie'reby the lighting switch unit \L may be locked in its normal or two of its three operative positions. No slot is provided for the second operative position of the switch unit L, sothat when the lighting switch unit L is in its positioniB and an attempt is made to lock the switch after the ignition switch unit is restored to its inoperative position,the key 103 can only be turned part way and the operator is at oncenotilied that the switch lever must be turned back to one of its positions A, C or D to enable him to lock the switch. The discs 33 and 33 ot' the units L and M are provided with lugs '111 and 112, 113 and 114 to limit the moveiiieiits of the switch units L and M in' their' normal and farthest advanced positions. The lugs 111 and 113 of the disks 33 and 33', respectively, limit the movement of the switch units L and M in their normal position by engaging the forward'ends of the. angular extensions 110 and 110 of the sliding locking plate 104, and the lugs 112 aiid 114 of the switch units L and M are limited in their farthest advanced positions by the engage-4 ment of the said lugs 112 and 114 with the forward ends of the an lar extensions 110 and 110 of the sliding ocking plate 104.

In Fig. 8 I have shown the locking mechaiiism and operating members of the lighting and ignition switch units L and Mlin their normal position and unlocked; and in Fig. 9 I show the locking mechanism operated to lock the switching initsL and M against movement, but also showin the mechanism at normal. To lock the switch unit-s L` and M, the key' 103 of the lock T iainserted and turned to the right until the pin 108 in the key barrel 97 engages the pin 109 iii the platel 104. Continued rotation of the key 103 of the lock T moves theplate 104 in an u ward direction into the position shown in Flig. 9. `The extensions 110 and 1 10 enter the slots 33 and 333 of the switching units M and L, respectively, reventing the movement of said units. o unlock the switch unitsl L and M, the key is turned to the left until the pin 108 engages pin 109 to move the plate 104 in a downward direction, and this ldownward movement of the sliding locking plate 104 withdraws the lextensions 110 and locked orv unlocked positions, I provide a llat` sprin 116 secured between the member 80 and t e plate 2 by means of the stud 83, whichv holds the fplate 104 in its different positions, the free end of the spring engaging the sliding plateV 104. A cover or casing 117 is provided for enclosing the mechanism, and atop or name plate 118 is also provided, said cover 117 and name plate 118 being held together in anysuitable manner and being provided with suitablefope'nings to Jermit the passage of the studs 3 and 4. andles 119 and 120 are secured to the studs 3 and 4 Iin any suitable manner, the said handles 119 and 120 being grasped by the operator to move the switching units L and M to their different operative positions. The cover 117 and plate 118 are also provided with a suitable opening 121 of a size to permit' the passage ofthe forward end orhead 122 ofthe key barrel 97, this opening 122 also forming a bearing forl the head 122 vof the key barrel 97 when it is rotated by the key.k A knob 123 is also provided and secured to.' the shaft 62 of the cowl unit to permit the cowl unit CL to be rotated into either its operative or inoperative position.

While I have described a certain form of invention, it is to be understood that changes and modifications will readily suggest themselves to those skilled in the art, and I, therefore, do not wish to be limited to the exact structureaashown, but aim' to cover all such changes and modifications as come.-

ing said second spring member to said first spring member. y

2. A device of the character described including a mounting plate provided with an orifice, a rotatable contact control meinber for saidV mounting plate, a s ring ada ted to tit into said orifice and firm y secur therein, a second spring for cooperation withsaid rotatable contact control member and adapted to also t into said orifice, and clamping means for securing said first and second springs in contact. n

3. circuit controlling switch provided with a mounting plate havin by said mounting plate, a leaf spring extendin into said orifice and firmly secured to sai plate, a second leaf spring' for cooperation with said movablecontact control member whereby a circuit may be opened and closed, said second spring also extending into said orifice and held in position in said orifice in facial contact with Said first spring by means of 'a force fit.

4. A circuit controllin n a mounting base, a mova le contact control member supported by said base, a leaf spring r extending into an aperture in said base and firmly secured to the base, a second leaf spring for cooperation with said movable contact control member for controlling a cir; cuit and likewise extending into said aperture and held therein by means of a force t, and means for securin said second sprin to said first spring, t'ereby securing sai second spring in position and in engagement with said first spring. i

5. A circuit controlling switch of the character described including .a mounting plate having an aperture, a rotatable contact control member supported by said mounting plate, a spring extending through sa1d aperture and firmly secured to said mounting plate, a second spring for cooperation with said rotatable contact control member and likewise extending through said aperture and held therein by means of a force fit and in facial engagement with said first spring; terminal means for said extended ends ,of said springs and means for securin said terminal means to said springs, where y the spring and the terminal means as a unit are secured to the mounting plate.

an orifice, a movable contact control mem er supported switch includinnr 6. A circuit controllin f switch of the character described including a mounting base, a cover for said mounting base, a contact spring extendingthrough an orifice in said` base and firmly supported by said mountin base, a Isecond contact spring extending t rough an orifice and supported by said mounting base normally in contact with Said first contact spring, a third contact lspring extending through Said second oritending through a second orificein said base supported by said mounting base and normally in Contact with said first contact spring, a third spring extending through said second orifice and supported in said ori fice by means of a force fit, a leaf spring associated with said second and third leaf springs extending through said second orifice and firmly secured to Sald base, means Afor securing said second and third contact springs to said first spring, and means supported by said base and cover for moving said third contact spring to cause the second contact spring to disengage the first said contact spring.

Signed bv me at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, this 20th day of May, 1920.

ALFRED H. lVEISS. 

